Non-refillable bottle



(N9 Model.) 9

J. W. WOODRUFR. NON-REFILLABLB BOTTLE.

No. 573,949. "Patented Dec. 29, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN IV. VVOODRUFF, OF WISE, VEST VIRGINIA.

NON- REFILLABLE BOTTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,949, dated December29, 1896.

Application filed January 28, 1896. Serial No. 577,180. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. WooDRUEn, a citizen of the United States,residing at \Vise, in the county of Monongalia and State of VestVirginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inNonRefillable Bottles; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inbottles, and it has for its objects, among others, to provide a simpleand cheap non-refillable bottle which can be readily corked, but whichcannot be opened without destroying the appearance and character of thebottle to such an extent as to prevent its reuse. I form the bottle witha neck having a weakened portion where it is adapted to be broken, andan annular groove into which is adapted to be automatically expanded alock-ring carried by the stopper and adapted to automatically seatitself in said groove as the stopper is applied to the bottle.

I Other objects and ad vantages of the invention will hereinafterappear, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed outin the appended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of thisspecification, and in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section through thebottle with the stopper in place. Fig. 2 is a like view showing the neckbroken off. Fig. 3 is a detail of the stopper, and Fig. 4: is a detailof the lock-ring removed.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates thebottle, having a tapered neck a, into the lower portion of which isadapted to be inserted the cork B, by any well-known means, after thebottle has been filled. This neck has a weakened portion a, and abovethe same an annular groove or recess a 0 is a stopper of glass taperedto fit w1t-hin the tapered neck and having an annular groove 0 near itslower end, into which is sprung the lock-ring D, of metal, which issplit, as shown at d, to allow it to readily expand.

In practice the bottle is filled, the cork is inserted, a layer ofcement or sealing-wax F is applied over the top of the cork, and thenthe stopper 0 is placed in position with the ring D in the annulargroove thereof, and

with the stopper so braced into position the ring is compressed withinits groove but as soon as the same comes opposite the groove or recess ain the neck the ring springs outward and seats itself in said groove andprevents removal of the stopper. The groove a in the neck is of suchdepth as to prevent the ring springing out against the outer wall ofsaid groove and breaking the glass.

The glass stopper may be provided with one or more small grooves f,extending down the sides thereof, into which may be poured hot water tofill the space G between the bottom of the stopper and the sealing-waxand breaking the bottle at the weakened portion a. These grooves are,while large enough to admit of the entrance of water, too small to admitof any tool to unlock the bottle.

Modifications in details may be resorted to without departing from thespirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- Thecombination with a bottle having a tapered neck and a weakened portionwith an annular groove beyond said weakened portion, of a split springlock-ring, a glass stopper tapered to fit the neck and having an annulargroove and grooves disposed lengthwise of the stopper and intersectingthe annular groove and a seal between the stopper and a stopper placedin the lower portion of said neck, all substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in. the presenceof two subscribing witnesses. V

JOHN \V. WOODRUFF. lVitnesses I. N. ROBINSON, J. W. SANDERS.

